Activities and Opinions

About 45 people showed up Food Not Bombs; Dana had tons of food, the American Legion came out with some leftovers from a wedding reception just as we were getting really low so it was all good.

Two men with school aged kids came up to the gazebo, a daunting foray if ever there was one, asking what was going on. I spent a lot of time talking to them and the kids who were unafraid and very interested. The guy got on his cell shortly after; don’t know what that was about.

Dana’s son announced they’d be feeding on Thanksgiving day.

--Mary Lawrence

Preceded by a bagpiper, about 100 guests of Mayor Boles entered the Lightner to enjoy food, drink and dancing at the Mayor’s gala at $150.00 a plate to raise funds for the new St Francis Shelter. PUSH (People United to Stop Homelessness) lined the walkway holding signs with homeless statistics: 251 homeless kids, 214 homeless veterans, 7 homeless deaths in 2008, 92 homeless students in our school system and a total of 1238 homeless citizens. PUSH was joined by members of the homeless community and we thanked all the guests for their support and generosity. Most were receptive, thanking US once again for being out there and commenting on the statistics we provided. Even the mayor gave us a thumbs up. Meanwhile, Food Not Bombs (FNB) set up to the right of the entrance to the gala, serving a hot spaghetti meal with cornbread and brownies to about 25 homeless men and providing donated blankets and sweaters to anyone who needed them. Two homeless men held the large banner created for the March of the Impoverished which was held on November 10 to celebrate Food Not Bombs St Augustine’s fifth year anniversary.

This is the second year the mayor has held the fundraiser and the second year PUSH and FNB made sure the guests were reminded of the crushing need for their support.

--Mary Lawrence

It’s cold tonight and about 40 people showed up for Food Not Bombs’ serving. Thanks to Sonda, I had 4 blankets to give out. They went quickly including one to cover two children under the age of 1. A guy came up to me too late. He’d been in town 2 nights and was just figuring things out for himself and I had to tell him I was out. Standing next to me was one of our regulars who did not hesitate one moment and handed his blanket back to me, saying “give it to him”. I looked in his eyes and said “you give it to him” and he did.

I’m undone.

-- Mary